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2.2 i-DTEC ES GT 4dr

What we say:

The Accord is an OK car and it doesn't do anything disgracefully, but its best days are definitely behind it

What is it?

The Accord was facelifted a while back, but it’s impossible to tell unless you look at the CO2 figures. Overall the Accord is an OK car and it doesn’t do anything disgracefully, but its best days are behind it.

Driving

The Accord is a positive drive, feeling sharp and responsive through corners even if it lacks some steering feel. It’s not the driver’s car that the BMW 3-Series is, but it does a reasonable job of keeping you interested.

Although impressively refined and insulated from engine and wind noise, the Accord rides quite hard, like so many Japanese cars used to better road surfaces. It’s not a deal breaker, but worth being aware of.

Of the two petrol and one diesel engine available in the Accord, none is a bad apple. They’re all quiet, punchy and economical to boot. The diesel would be our choice, with its comparable acceleration and vastly better returns at the pumps.

On the inside

The saloon doesn’t offer quite as much rear space as rivals like the Citroen C5, and is narrower too, meaning get three abreast in the back can be cosy. But in estate form the boot is vast with a huge and ingenious sliding load bay.

The Accord is mechanically indestructible though, and its interior, although perhaps not as luxurious as European tastes tend to demand, will age far better than you will.

Owning

Although not as cheap to buy as you might expect from a manufacturer without the brand kudos of some of its European rivals, the Accord won’t be expensive to run. It doesn’t tend to go wrong for starters, and insurance is low.

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